As New Jersey’s relationship deepens with marijuana, a state university is working to grow its cannabis curriculum.

Stockton University launched its medical marijuana program this fall, with students taking a course in cannabis law, becoming one of the first institutions in the state to embrace marijuana.

Now, Stockton has partnered with the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association, one of the state’s primary industry groups, in an effort to bolster the medical marijuana program. Stockton has already reached agreements with another organization, the New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association.

The CannaBusiness Association announced the partnership on Wednesday, saying that it would help the school bring in guest speakers from the industry and place students in medical marijuana internships.

“New Jersey is on the cusp of legalization, and as we get closer to that day, it is important that we prepare young people on how to be successful and involved in this rapidly evolving industry,” said Scott Rudder, president the CannaBusiness Association. “We are excited to be collaborating with Stockton and we look forward to bringing industry subject matter experts to the classroom. And I hope other colleges and universities will learn from this example.”

Stockton began offering medical marijuana as a minor this fall as New Jersey was reckoning with both a medical marijuana expansion and full legalization. Lawmakers have yet to approve legalization, but if they do, it will create an immediate need for people with a background in marijuana.

Diane D’Amico, spokeswoman for Stockton, said the university recognizes the opportunity for students and is finalizing partnerships with other groups to help flesh out its marijuana program.

“This is a growing industry and we want to prepare our students from a variety of academic viewpoints,” Ekaterina Sedia, a biology professor and the program coordinator for cannabis studies, said in a statement earlier this year.

“We will not be telling students what is the right thing to do,” Sedia said. “We will be providing a context and information that they can use to make their own decisions. Offering a program is not an endorsement.”

While Stockton is believed to be the first school in the state with a minor in marijuana, other schools offer students experience in the medical marijuana industry.

Rutgers has students work at the Garden State Dispensary in Woodbridge to earn credit. Aaron Epstein, the general manager of the facility, said the Rutgers students help throughout the cultivation process and that the partnership with Rutgers is a mutually beneficial.

Whether students will be training to join a medical marijuana industry in New Jersey or a recreational one still depends on state lawmakers. A vote on the legalization bill is not expected before the end of the year.

Six medical marijuana dispensaries currently operate in the state, though the Department of Health will soon announce six more. Those additional facilities are expected to be up and running by next spring.